Saint Edward State Park —
Your Complete Guide
A day-use park on Lake Washington in Kenmore, 25 minutes from Seattle: 14 forest trails, a rocky beach and a 1931 seminary.
What is Saint Edward State Park?
Saint Edward State Park is a 326-acre day-use park in Kenmore, Washington, on the north end of Lake Washington, about 25 minutes from Seattle. It has 14 named forest trails, about 3,000 feet of lake shoreline, lawns and picnic areas, all set around a brick seminary built in 1931. There is no entrance fee, but parking needs a Discover Pass, $10 a day or $45 a year. It is open 8 a.m. to dusk every day.
Saint Edward Seminary trained Catholic priests here until it closed in 1976 (seminary history). The state bought the land in 1977 and dedicated the park in 1978. Since 2021 the old seminary building has been a private hotel, The Lodge at Saint Edward, while the woods, the Grotto and the shore stay open to everyone.
The park brochure calls Saint Edward the largest remaining undeveloped area on Lake Washington. Trails drop through Douglas fir, cedar and madrone to a rocky beach (trails), and many are shared with mountain bikers (mountain biking). This is an independent guide; the official source is Washington State Parks.
Saint Edward State Park at a Glance
What to Do at Saint Edward State Park
Walk the forest to the lake, ride the trails, picnic on the seminary lawns and find the Grotto.
Hiking
14 named trails through forest and ravines, rated easiest to most difficult on the agency map.
The 14 Trails →
Lake Washington Beach
About 3,000 feet of rocky shoreline, reached only on foot by trail.
Beach & Swimming →
Mountain Biking
A labyrinth of forest trails, many open to bikes and some kept for hikers only.
Where to Ride →
The Grotto
A 1940s cobblestone alcove in the woods, rented for weddings of up to 120 guests.
Weddings & Rentals →
Seminary History
A 1931 Romanesque Revival seminary by architect John Graham, now The Lodge at Saint Edward.
The Story →
Picnics & Playground
Lawns, grills, a playground and the Orchard picnic area under apple and cherry trees.
Plan a Day →Trails at Saint Edward
The Washington State Parks map names 14 trails and rates each one. No official mileages are published.
The old logging road from the seminary building down to Lake Washington.
Runs along the Lake Washington shoreline at the bottom of the park.
Starts near the picnic area west of the seminary.
A steep ravine route in the south of the park.
How to Get to Saint Edward State Park
About 25 minutes from Seattle, on Juanita Drive NE in Kenmore.
By Car
14445 Juanita Drive NE, Kenmore, WA 98028. Parking by the seminary building. Parking and directions.
Discover Pass
$10 a day or $45 a year, sold at the park's pay station. Pass details.
Park Office
Washington State Parks, phone (425) 823-2992. Plan your visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Saint Edward State Park free?
There is no entrance fee, but cars need a Discover Pass: $10 for a day or $45 for a year, sold at the park's pay station. If you walk or bike in, you don't need one.
Where is Saint Edward State Park?
At 14445 Juanita Drive NE, Kenmore, WA 98028, on the north end of Lake Washington, about 25 minutes from Seattle.
What are the hours at Saint Edward?
8 a.m. to dusk, every day of the year. It is a day-use park with no camping.
Is Saint Edward State Park dog friendly?
Yes. Dogs are welcome on a leash no longer than 8 feet. Clean up after them, and keep them off designated swim beaches.
Can you swim at Saint Edward?
Swimming is listed as an activity on the park's rocky Lake Washington shore, which you reach by trail. No lifeguards are listed.
Is The Lodge at Saint Edward part of the park?
It is a private hotel in the restored 1931 seminary building, inside the park, leased from Washington State Parks. It opened in 2021.
How big is Saint Edward State Park?
326 acres, with about 3,000 feet of Lake Washington shoreline.